Machines for making tobacco refills



July 12, 1955 STEINER MACHINES FDR MAKING TOBACCO REFILLS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 9, 1951 I49 IN V EN TOR.

LOUIS STEINER ATTORNEY July 12, 1955 L, sTEiNER 2,712,824

MACHINES FOR MAKING TOBACCO REFILLS Filed March 9, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LOUIS STEINER ATTORNEY y 1955 L. STEINER 2,712,324

MACHINES FOR MAKING TOBACCO REFILLS Filed March 9, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 O 1360 a- E- INVENTOR.

LOUIS STEINER BY ATTORNEY United States iatent C This invention relates to machines for making tobacco refills or inserts for smoking pipes.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described comprising highly improved portions, and clinching each portion at a pair of spaced points, so that the constricted portions may be severed between the spaced clinched points to produce individual smoking pipe tobacco refills, plugs or cartridges.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described comprising a container for tobacco for dispensing tobacco to a hopper, a tube extending downwardly from the hopper and over which tube a long flexible sleeve of heat resistant fibers may be pulled up and bunched, and the lower end of the sleeve twisted to constrict the same, means to apply a pair of spaced staples to the twisted and constricted portion of the sleeve, a rod coaxially slidable within the hopper tube to tamp tobacco downwardly into a closed portion at the lower end of the flexible sleeve, said rod being movable upwardly after tamping so that the filled lower end of the sleeve can be pulled down a predetermined distance below the lower end of the tube and again twisted and constricted above the filled portion of the sleeve so that another pair of spaced staples may be driven through said second twisted portion, and whereby the operation can be epeated to form an elongated series of closed interconnected tobacco filled containers which may be severed between the spaced staples to provide individual pipe refills.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described in which the tobacco container is rotatable and has a bottom formed with a plurality of angularly spaced downwardly projecting tubular portions, said container resting on a plate having an opening communicating with the top of the hopper, the arrangement being such that as the container is rotated each of said tubular extensions passes over the open ings in the plate so that the contents of said tubular extension will successively drop through the opening and into hopper.

Still another object of this invention is to index the tobacco container at the angular positions where said tubular extensions are over the opening in the plate.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described a collar frictionally pressing the bunched up flexible sleeve against the tube to permit the sleeve to be pulled down or payed out gradually, said friction collar serving to hold back the portion of the sleeve above the collar.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a strong, rugged and durable machine or" the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and yet practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

- structure shown in Fig.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown various illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a machine embodying the invention, with parts broken away and in crosssection;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of said machine;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged View of a portion of the 3 and showing the machine in another position;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1111 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 1212 of Fig. 3.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, a machine embodying the invention. prises a frame 11. Said frame 11 base 12 having a top wall 13, a front downwardly extending flange 1311, a rear downwardly extending flange 13b and downwardly extending parallel side flanges 13s. The base 12 may be supported on any suitable legs 14.

Attached to the top of the base 12 are a pair of horizontally extending parallel angle irons 15, running from front to rear relative to said base. Said angle irons 15 have outwardly extending flanges 15a contacting the top surface of top wall 13 and parallel upwardly extending flanges 15b. The flanges 15a may be riveted to the table 12 as by rivets 16 (Fig. 3). The front ends 15' of the angle irons 15 are at the front of the base and the rear ends 15" of said angle irons are at the rear of the base.

Mounted on the base of the structure shown it designates The same comcomprises a horizontal and extending upwardly therefrom are a pair of front, vertical, parallel angle irons 17 having aligned inwardly extending flanges 17a and parallel rearwardly extending flanges 17b. The lower ends of the angle irons 17 rest on the top of the base. The lower ends of the flanges are riveted to the flanges 15b by means of rivets 18.

Mounted on the rear of the base and between the rear ends of the members 15 are vertical supports 19. The supports 19 have parallel flanges 19a contacting the inner extending rearwardly from the upper portions of the flanges 1912 are parallel flanges Be. it will be noted that members 17 extend upwardly to a higher level than members 19, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Interconnecting members 17 and 19 at points somewhat above members 15 are parallel, horizontal, angle shaped members 20. Said members 20 extend forwardly beyond members 17. Said members 2d have downwardly projecting flanges 20:: parallel to one another and contacting flanges 17b and 19a and are riveted or fastened thereto as at 21 and 22. Members 20 furthermore comprise outwardly extending horizontal aligned flanges 2%.

Members 17 and 19 are also interconnected by a pair of horizontal similar angle shaped members 23, disposed above and coextensive with members 20. Members 23 have downwardly extending flanges 23a contacting the outer surfaces of the flanges 17b and 19a and are riveted or otherwise fastened thereto as at 24 and 25. Members 23 alsoproiect forwardly of members 17, as shown in Fig. ,1 of the drawing. Members'23 furthermore comprise outwardly extending aligned flanges 23b.

It will now be understood that members are similar and symmetrically disposed to one another; members 17 are similar and symmetrically disposed to one another; members 19 are similar and symmetrically disposed to one another, and members 23 are similar and symmetrically disposed to one another. It will also be observed that members 23 are located substantially at the upper ends of members 19.

Mounted on and supported by the portions of members 20 which extend forwardly of members 17 is a horizontal bottom plate 26. Mounted on and supported by the portions of members 23 which extend forwardly of members 17 is an upper horizontal plate 27. The plates 26 and 27 are substantially rectangular. in a common vertical plane with the front ends of members 20 and 23. Plate 26 extends further to the right than does plate 27, and plate 27 extends further to the left than plate 26, locking at Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The bottom plate 26 is formed with an opening 26a disposed forwardly of member 17 and centrally between members 20. Said plate 26 is furthermore formed with a through opening 26b disposed adjacent the left member 20, looking at Fig. 3. The centers of openings 26a and 26b are substantially equidistant from the plane of flanges 17a.

Mounted on and fixed to the top of lower plate 26 and in front of member 17 is a guide member 30 which extends from side to side. It comprises a bottom wall 31 from which extend upwardly, front and rear walls 32. At the inner sides of walls 32 are inwardly extending aligned parallel ribs 33. The bottom wall 31 is formed with a central opening 34 registering with opening 26a. Said bottom wall 31 is furthermore formed with an opening 31a registering with the opening 26b. Slidably mounted on member 30 and on one side of the central opening 34 is a slider 35 comprising a plate 36 lying on plate 31 and engaging the underedges of the ribs 33. Slider. 35 further comprises a top plate 37 disposed between the side walls 32 and contacting the top edges of the ribs 33. Plates 36 and 37 are coextensive.

Disposed between the plates 36 and 37 is a plate 38 contacting the inner edges of the ribs 33. Plate 38 is formed at its upper and lower surfaces with central longitudinal grooves 39. Plates 36, 37 and 38 are attached together to form a unit by means of vertical screws 4%. The plates 36, 37 and 38 are formed for the purpose hereinafter appearing with registering through openings 41.

Disposed within the grooves 39 are staple anvil blades 42. The blades 42 are Slidable in the grooves 39. Attached to the outer ends of the blades 42 is a vertical rod-like handle 43 passing through the registering openings 41 and extending upwardly above the slider 35. It will now be understood that the slider 35 is slidable relative to the fixed guide member 30, and the anvil blades 42 have a limited sliding movement relative to the slider 35. The purpose for this construction will be explained hereinafter.

The slider 35 is movable from its outer position, shown in Fig. 3, to its inner position, shown in Fig. 4. The outer positions are also illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing. Means is provided to retain the slider 35 in its innermost position. To this end there is piv- Their front edges are oted to the front Wall 32 as at 44, a latch member 45 having an arm 46 and an arm 47 extending at right angles thereto, and a hook 48 extending from the arm 47. When member 35 is moved inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4, the latch member 45 may be swung in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 6, so that the arm 47 thereof engages the outer end of said slider 35 to hold it in its innermost position. When slider 35 moves inwardly its outer end will register with the outer end of guide member 30.

Also slidable within the guide member 30 and disposed on the left side of the opening 34 is a second slider 50. The slider 50 comprises a bottom plate 51 contacting the top surface of bottom wall 31 and disposed VJ between said walls 32 and engaging beneath the ribs 33.

Said slider 50 further comprises a top plate 52 disposed between said walls 32 and contacting the upper surfaces of the ribs 33. Said slider 50 also comprises an intermediate plate 53 disposed between the ribs 33 and contacting plates 51 and 52. Plate 53 may be attached to the plates 51 and 52 by means of vertical screws 54. l-late 53 is formed in its upper and lower surfaces with longitudinal grooves 55. It will be noted that the plate 53 is not as long as the plates'51 and 52. Its right end registers with the right ends of said plates 51 and 52, but its left end, looking at Fig. 3, terminates short of'the left ends of plates 51, 52. Plate 51 is furthermore formed with an opening 55a registering with opening 31a but of smaller dimension. Plate 52 is formed with a through opening 56 offset inwardly with respect to the opening 55a. Slidable Within the grooves 55 are staple driver blades 57. The driver blades 57 project to one side beyond the left end of plate 53. Thus the slider 50 may slide relative to the guide member 30 from the positions shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6 to the position shown in Fig. 4. In moving the slider 50 to such position it is moved to the right, looking at Fig. 4. Means is provided to retain the slider 50 in its innermost position. To this end there is pivoted to the front wall 32, as on pivot 58, a latch 59 having an arm 60 and an offset arm 61. The latch 59 is normally in the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6. However, when the slider 50 is moved inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4 the latch 59 may be swung in a counterclockwise direction through an angle of 90 so that arm 61 will engage the left end of the slider 50 to hold it in its innermost position, shown in Fig. 4.

Attached to the inner surfaces of the outer ends of the drivers 57 are parallel bars 62 between which is disposed a spacer plate 63. The bars 62 and the spacer plate 63 are attached togethed by screws 64. The spacer plate 63 is offset rearwardly and is formed at its rear end with a flange 65. The'flange 65 is riveted as by rivets 66 to a horizontal operating bar 67 which contacts the rear surface of the rear wall-32 of guide 30. Means is provided to guide the operating member 67 and hold it against said rear surface. To this end there is attached to the top of lower wall 26 a Z-shaped guide member 68 having a rearwardly extending flange 69 contacting wall 26, a vertical wall 70 parallel to and spaced rearwardly of the rear wall 32, and a top flange 72 extending forwardly from the upper end of wall 70 and contacting the'top edge of the rear wall 32. Thus the bar 67 rests on lower wall 26 and slides between the rear wall 32' and wall 70 of member 68, and it is held down on wall 26 by the top flange 72.

Attached to the right end of operating member 67 is an angleshaped connector 75 having a vertical flange- 76 riveted as at 71 to the operating member 67. Extending forwardly from the flange 76 is a bottom flange 78 carrying a pivot pin 79. Plvoted to the pivot pin 79 is a link 80 connected by a pivot pin 81 to a bar 82 pivoted to the bottom plate 26 as at 83. Pivoted to the top of the bottom plate 26 as at 85 is a lever arm 87, interconnected by a link 88 to an intermediate portion of arm 82.

It will now be understood that when the lever 87 is swung in a counterclockwise direction, or to the right, looking at Fig. of the drawing, arm 82 will be swung in a clockwise direction moving operating bar 67 to the right and hence moving the driver blades 57 to the right. When the operating lever 87 is swung to the left, or in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 5, arm 82 will be swung in a counterclockwise direction moving the bar 67 to the left for retracting the driver blade 57. The driver blades 57 may be retracted to positions clearing the openings 55a and 56.

Fixed to flange a of the left member 20, by means of a screw 90a, is a staple magazine 99 of any usual construction. The magazine 90 is disposed vertically and its upper end projects into the registering openings 26b, 31a. The magazine 90 includes a track 90b on which is slidably mounted a strip 91 of convential staples. Slidable on the track is a pusher 92 normally urging the staple strip upwardly through the action of a coil tension spring 93 which interconnects the pusher with flange 29b of said member 20. The staples are moved upwardly toward slider 59 through the opening 550 and when the driver move into the lower groove 55.

Attached to the top slider 56 is an angle plate 96 comprising a horizontal flange 97 fixed to the top of the slider by a Extending upwardly from the flange 97 is a flange 99 disposed adjacent the opening 56. 99 by means of screw 190 is a vertical staple magazine 1111, the lower end of which zine may be of any usual construction and includes a pusher 103 on a track 193:: for pushing the staple strip 104 downwardly toward slider 50 and the opening 56. The pusher 1%3 is normally urged downwardly by a spring 1135 which interconnects the pusher with the screw 98. Thus the staple strip is pushed against the upper driver blade 57. However, when the driver blades are retracted to the left sufllciently the lowermost staple will enter the upper groove 55. When member 87 is swung in a counterclockwise direction to move bar 67 to the right, the driver blades 57 will drive a pair of staples against the anvils 42. The purpose for driving the staples will be explained hereinafter.

It will be noted that when the latches and 49 are up and the sliders 35 and are moved away from each other a space or opening is presented between the inner ends of the sliders which registers with the openings 26a, 34 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. It will be further noted that the upper staple magazine 101 moves with the slider 50.

The upper plate 27 is formed with an opening disposed directly above the openings 26a and 34. Offset to one side of the opening 119 is another opening 111 in said plate 27. Attached to the top of the plate at a point offset from the opening 111 and by means of a screw 112 is a hub or block 113 formed in its upper surface with a downwardly extending blind hole 114. through an opening in plate 27 and hub or block 113.

container 115, which may be open at lower edge of the container wall 27. The opening 111 cylindrical wall 115.

Fixed to the inside of the its upper end. The 115 may rest on the upper is disposed inwardly of the the hub 113 passes.

the internal diameter the cylindrical container 115 It will now be observed that its false bottom member 116 are rotated, the tubes 119 successively register with the opening 111. Tobacco for smoking pipes may be inserted into the container. Within he container also is an agitator member 120. a central axle 121 which is rotatably received in the opening 114.

agitator may project above the upper end of the container 115 as shown in Fig. l of the drawing.

It will now be understood that the agitator be rotated independently of the container 115 for agitating the tobacco therein, so as to keep it loose.

Means is provided to index the tubes 119 relative to the opening 111. To this end there is fixed to the container 115 a plurality of screws 123 having heads disposed exteriorly of the container. The heads 123 are equiangularly spaced similar to the tubes 119. Pivoted to the top of wall 27 as on pivot pin 124 is an arm 125 pressed against the container by means of a coil tension spring 126 interconnecting said arm with a post the outer end of the arm 125 contacts one of the screws 123, one of Attached to the underside of wall 27 is a hopper 130 surrounding the openings 111) and 111. The hopper 130 tapers downwardly and inwardly and extending downwardly from its lower end is a tube 131 which terminates at its lower end just above the guide member 30. The tube 131 is aligned with the opening 110 and with the openings 34 and 26a. Extending axially through tube 131, through the hopper 130, and through the opening 11%) is a tamping rod 132. The rod 132 projects above wall 27. Attached to the upper end of the rod is a slider member 133 which slides up and down on members 17 and is disposed above members 23.

The sliding member 136 The forward end of The arm 136 is upper end or" the rod 132 is fixed to the the arm in any suitable manner.

. disposed centrally between members 17 and is disposed in a vertical plane forwardly of Fixed to the rear surface of plate 137 is a spacer plate 138. Plate 1 38 is fixed to plate 137 by means of screws 13?. Plate 138 is the flanges 17a, Attached to the rear of the spacer plate 138 by said screws 139 are angle shaped members 146, comprising aligned or coplanar outwardly extending flanges 141 and parallel flanges 142. The screws 13 are screwed to the flanges 141. The flanges 1 31 contact the rear surfaces of the flanges 17a.

Thus the flanges 17a are disposed between plate 137 and flanges 141.

The parallel flanges 142 are formed With aligned openings 143 carrying a transverse pivot pin 144. Pivoted to the pivot pin 14 is the upper end of a lever 145 which is inclined downwardly and rearwardly between the members 23 to a point therebelow. Lever 145 is formed with a longitudinal slot 146 adjacent its rear end.

outer surfaces of the flanges 23a downwardly extending plates 147 formed with aligned openings supporting a transverse horizontal pivot pin 148. Collars 149 may be fixed to V the outer ends of the pivot pin 148 ting the lower end to prevent longitudinal'movernent with the latter. The pivot pin 148 passes through the slot 146. Collars 150 may be fixed to the pin 148 on opposite sides of the lever 145.

Pivoted to an intermediate portion of the lever 145, as at 152, are a pair of parallel similar links 153 carrying at their lower ends a pivot pin 154. Pivoted to the pivot pin 154 and received between the lower ends of the links 153 is the forward end of a bar 155. Attached to the opposite sides of the bar 155 by means of screws 156 are a pair of parallel plates 157 which pass rearwardly between members 19. Supported by the flanges 190 of said members 19 is a horizontal transverse pivot pin 158 provided with collars 160 at its outer ends disposed on the outer sides of said flanges 19c. The pivot pin 158 passes through an opening in the plates 157. Received between the rear ends of the plates 157 rearwardly of the pivot pin 158 is the upper end of a bar 162. The upper .end of the bar 162 is fixed to plates 157 by screws 163. The bar 162 may extend downwardly to a point spaced above the floor. It extends below the base 12.

Fixed to the lower end of the bar 162 is a foot pedal 165. The bar 162 is connected to the front flange 13a of the base by a coil tension spring 166. It will now be understood that the spring 166 normally tends to rotate the bar 162 forwardly or in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 158. When the foot pedal 165 is engaged by the foot of the operator and pressed rearwardly to tension the spring 166, plates 157 which form a lever together with the bar 155 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, pulling down on the links 153, thereby causing the slider 133 to slide down. During such action the pivot pin 148 moves through the slot 146 of the lever 145. As the slider 133 moves down the rod 132 likewise moves downwardly in the tube 131. During the operation the rod 132 moves from its up position, shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, to its down position, shown in Fig. 3.

In accordance with the invention a flexible sleeve 170, preferably of woven glass fiber or other heat resistant or non-burning material, is moved upwardly through the openings.26a and 34 and through the space between the separated sliders 35 ible sleeve is then pulled over the tube 131 and pushed or bunched upwardly until a suitable length of the sleeve is fitted over the tube. Means is provided to retain the bunched or gathered sleeve in such condition while permit of the tube to be gradually payed out or pulled downwardly. To this end there is fixed to the rear surfaces of the flanges 17a of support 17 at a point spaced above the plate 26, a plate 180. The plate 180 may be attached by means of screws 181 or in any other suitable manner. The plate 180.straddles the space between the flanges 17a, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing.

Attached to the front of plate 180 and disposed inwardly of the flanges 17a are a pair of similar, symmetrical hinges 182. The hinges 182 have fixed sleeves or portions 182a attached to the plate 180 and a pair of swingable sleeves or portions 182b, 182a attached by screws 184 to a pair of arms 186. On the upper edges of the front portions of said arms are inwardly extending wings 187 having part-circular inner edges 188. The wings 187 engage within the annular groove 190 of an annular ring 191 which surrounds the tube 131 and is spaced concentrically therefrom.

Attached to the inside of the tube 191 is a sleeve 193 of felt or other material which will create friction with the'sleeve 170 by pressing the latter against'tube 131. The sleeve 193 creates friction so as to permit the sleeve 170 to be pulled down or payed out gradually while holding back the bunched up portion of the sleeve thereabove.

Members 186 are interconnected by a coil tension spring 1861:. Saidmembers 186 may be separate if desired to release the ring 191 and the sleeve 193 so they may be moved downwardly.

The upper end of the sleeve 170 may be inserted withand 50. The upper end of the flex-- registers with the opening and after the smoker is finished smoking,

in the sleeve 193 and said sleeve 193 thenrnoved upwardly to place the upper end of the flexible sleeve 170 over the lower end of the tube 131. Sleeve 193 and its ring 191 may then be moved upwardly and engaged with the wings 187. Then the sleeve 170 may be pulled upwardly and bunched in the space between the upper end of the sleeve 193 and the lower end of the hopper. A suitable length of sleeve 170 may be bunched or gathered together.

It will be noted that tobacco from the tube 119 which 111 drops into the hopper and then down into the tube 131 surrounding the rod 132, moving downwardly to the lower end of the sleeve.

The operation of the machine will now be described. With the rod raised the lower portion of the sleeve 170 may be twisted. Then the sliders 25 and 50 may be moved inwardly toward each other and the latches 45 and 59 swung outwardly and downwardly in the directions shown by the arrows in Fig. 6, and engaged with the outer ends of said sliders. The lever 87 may then be moved to the right toward a fixed arm 200 fixed to the table 126. The lever 187 may be squeezed toward the arm 200 to facilitate its operating. During such operation the drive blades 57 will drive a pair of staples through the twisted portion of the sleeve against the anvils. The rod 43 may then be grasped and pushed to the left to tighten or fully clinch the arms of the staples. Lever 87 may then be moved back to its normal position to retract the drive blades. wardly to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6 and disengaged from the outer ends of the sliders 35 and 50 which may then be separated. The sleeve may then be pulled down a predetermined length. The container may then be rotated to bring the tube 119 over the opening 111 so that a quantity of tobacco will drop into the hopper and down into the tube and into the sleeve above the applied staples. The foot pedal may then be pressed rearwardly to bring the rod 132 downwardly to tamp the tobacco into the bottom of the sleeve. The foot pedal 165 may then be released so that the spring 166 raises the rod 132. The sleeve is then twisted, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, to provide a twisted portion 201 which will be disposed just between the lower end of the tube 131 or between the inner ends of the sliders 35 and 50. The sliders 35 and 50 may then be again moved inwardly toward each other. The latches 45 and 59 are moved downwardly to hold them, and lever '87 is then again squeezed to drive a pair of staples the twisted portions 201. Rod 43 may then be pressed to the left to fully clinch the staples. In the drawing, numeral 203 designates the clinched staples, as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawing.

Due to this action a refill plug or cartridge 202 of smoking tobacco will be formed between spaced twisted and stapled points in the sleeve 170. The above action is repeated so that a plurality of connected cartridges 202 are formed. When the sleeve is all used up, the connected cartridges may then be severed at their twisted portions 201 between pairs of staples to separate the connected cartridges into separate cartridges or plugs. These. plugs or cartridges may be inserted into a smoking pipe and as the smoker smokes the tobacco, the sleeve being made of heat resistant material such as woven glass will not burn. The ash remains in the sleeve or pocket the sleeve ith the ashes may be easily removed or shaken out.

it will be observed that the rod 132 substantially fills the tube 131, and that said rod is raised above the tube before tobacco from the hopper may drop down through the tube.

Means is provided to insure the insertion of a predetermined or measured amount of tobacco down into the bottom of the sleeveeach time the-rod 132 is raised above the tube. To this end there is fixed to the block 113, as by screws 11311, a plate 113!) lying onthe top The latches 45 and 59 may then be swung up-.

around wall 117 and above the opening 111 and any LubE 119 which registers therewith. Thus as the container 115 rotates and the tubes 119 are filled with tobacco, as a tube rotates beneath the plate 113 said plate will out 01f communication to said tube so that it will have a measured amount of tobacco therein. This measured amount of tobacco will drop down through the opening 111 and into the hopper 13%. When the rod 132 is raised so that its lower end is above the tube 131, tobacco will then drop from the hopper through the tube into the bottom of the sleeve. Then the rod may be moved downwardly to tamp the tobacco and thereafter raised to permit the stapling operation. With such construction a measured amount of tobacco suflicient to make one plug or refill will drop into the sleeve for each operation.

Although this machine is described as making refills of tobacco, it will be understood that the machine can be used for any cornminuted or powdered or soft material.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A machine of the character described comprising a tube, a hopper at the upper end of the tube, a rod passing axially through the hopper and into the tube, a container communicating with the hopper for feeding tobacco to the hopper which may then pass down through the tube, said tube being adapted to receive a flexible sleeve thereover, means for slidably moving the rod relative to the tube, whereby tobacco may be tamped down into the lower end of the sleeve by means of the rod, and means for applying a pair of staples on the sleeve and below the lower end of the tube.

2. In a machine of the character described, a plate formed with a hole, a tube disposed above the plate and in alignment with the hole, means for supplying tobacco to the tube, a rod passing through the tube concentrically thereof and spaced from the inner surface of the tube, said tube being adapted to receive a flexible sleeve thereover, means for reciprocating the rod within the tube, the lower end of the tube being disposed above the plate, and means supported on said plate adapted to apply a pair of spaced staples on the sleeve.

3. In a machine of the character described, a plate formed with a hole, a tube disposed above the plate and in alignment with the hole, means for supplying tobacco to the tube, a rod passing through the tube concentrically thereof and spaced from the inner surface of the tube, said tube being adapted to receive a flexible sleeve thereover, means for reciprocating the rod within the tube, the lower end of the tube being disposed above the plate, means supported on said plate adapted to apply a pair of spaced staples on the sleeve and means surrounding the tube and spaced in concentric relation thereto for frictionally pressing the flexible sleeve against the tube so that it may be payed out gradually in a downward direction below the tube.

4. In a machine of the character described a longitudinal guide formed with an opening, a first and second slider slidably mounted on said guide and on opposite sides of said opening, movable toward and away from each other to cover and uncover said opening, a pair of staple magazines on the first slider including means to feed staples inwardly from opposite sides of said first slider, a pair of staple drivers on said first slider for driving staples from said staple magazines, means for retaining said sliders against movement, and a pair of anvils id mounted onthe second slider for clinching staples driven by the drivers on the first slider.

5. In a machine of the character described a longitudinal guide formed with an opening, a first and second slider slidably mounted on said guide and on opposite sides of said opening, movable toward and away from each other to cover and uncover said opening, a pair of staple magazines on the first slider including means to feed staples inwardly from opposite sides of said first slider, a pair of staple drivers on said first slider for driving staples from said staple magazines, a pair of anvils mounted on the second slider for clinching staples driven by the drivers on the first slider, means for moving said drivers relative to said first slider, and means for retaining said sliders against movement.

6. in a machine of the character described a longitudinal guide formed with an opening, a first and second slider slidably mounted on said guide and on opposite sides of said opening, movable toward and away from each other to cover and uncover said opening, a pair of staple magazines on the first slider including means to feed staples inwardly from opposite sides of said first slider, 21 pair of staple drivers on said first slider for driving staples from said staple magazines, a pair of anvils mounted on the second slider for clinching staples driven said anvils relative to said second slider.

7. In a machine of the character described a longitudinal guide formed with an opening, a first and second slider slidably mounted on said guide and on opposite sides or said opening, movable toward and away from each other to cover and uncover said opening, a pair of staple magazines on the first slider including means to feed staples inwardly from opposite sides of said taining said sliders against movement, a tube fixed above the opening in the guide, the lower end of the tube being spaced above said guide, means for feeding tobacco to the tube, a tamping rod concentrically disposed within said tube, and means for reciprocating the rod within said tube.

about axes parallel to said tube.

9. In a machine of the character described a tube adapted to receive a flexible sleeve thereover, a hopper at the upper end of the tube, a tamping rod adjacent the hopper, a friction sleeve surrounding said flexible sleeve for pressing the same against the outer surface of the tube to permit gradual paying out of the flexible sleeve to a point below said tube, means for releasably engaging said friction sleeve, means for reciprocating said rod for U tamping tobacco into the lower end of the sleeve, and

means for stapling the sleeve said last named means comprising a pair of spaced staple drivers adjacent the lower end of said flexible sleeve, and an anvil associated with each of said drivers.

10. In a machine of the character described a tube adapted to receive a flexible sleeve thereover, a hopper at the upper end of the tube, a tamping rod adjacent the hopper, a friction sleeve surrounding said flexible sleeve for pressing the same against the outer surface of the tube to permit gradual paying out of the flexible sleeve into the lower end of the sleeve,

to a point below ing said friction sleeve, means for reciprocating said rod for tarnping tobacco into the lower end of the sleeve, and means for stapling the sleeve, said last means comprising means to apply a pair of spaced staples to the sleeve.

11. In a machine of the character described, a tube adapted to receive a flexible sleeve thereover, means to apply a first pair of spacedstaples so as to close the lower end of such a sleeve, means to feed a predetermined amount of tobacco to the tube, sothat it drops to the lower closed end of the sleeve, means to tamp the tobacco and means to apply a second pair of spaced staples so as to close the sleeve above the .tarnped tobacco.

12. A machine of the character described comprising a hopper, a tube extending downwardly from the hopper,

V a flexible sleeve surrounding the tube, a rod slidable in the tube, means to reciprocate the rod up and down in the tube to bring the lower end of the rod to a point above the upper end of the amounts of tobacco to the hopper, means to apply a pair of spaced staples to the flexible sleeve on the tube, said sleeve extending downwardly therefrom and adapted to receive the tobacco from the tube, and means to frictionally press the sleeve against the outer surface of the tube.

13. A machine of the character described, comprising a hopper, a tube extending downwardly from the hopper, a flexible sleeve surrounding said tube, a rod slidable in said tube, means for releasably engag tube, means to feed measured end portion of the lower end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS the tube, means to reciprocate the rod up and down in the tube to bring the low the upper end of the tube, of tobacco to the hopper, ceive the upper end of the tobacco will flow from sai into the lower end of the apply a pair of spaced staples on the flex er end of the rod to a point above means to feed measured amounts said tube being adapted to reflexible sleeve thereon whereby d hopper through said tube and flexible sleeve, and means to ible sleeve at the 

